Good morning, Pasadena. This is News N’ Roses, the newsletter that is as lively as Diwali fireworks over a dark night sky.
In today’s News N’ Roses:
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JPL Turns 88
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Mounted Police Return
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2025 Rose Queen announced
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Upcoming events this week
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Spotlight: Prince Street
Let’s get to it.
— Matthew Ramirez
P.S. Happy Birthday NASA JPL🎂
THE DIGEST
JPL Turns 88
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), nestled in the Pasadena Arroyos, has been operating since 1936—well before NASA was established in 1958. It all began with Caltech students experimenting with explosives on campus, prompting their relocation to the Arroyos. There, America’s race to space was sparked with Explorer 1, a spacecraft far less advanced than the phone you’re holding but built to challenge Russia’s Sputnik and make JPL a leader in robotic space exploration. Today, JPL is renowned for its Mars missions, data analysis, and management of Earth, interplanetary, and deep space operations. JPL’s Halloween is celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm, featuring a high-stakes, inside-joke costume contest, pumpkin carving, and charity events in collaboration with United Way—marking the ultimate spirit week for “NASAdena.”
Mounted Police Return to Pasadena
Pasadena has reintroduced mounted police to its streets after nearly 20 years. The Pasadena Police Department aims to strengthen community engagement and enhance public safety with this initiative. The mounted unit, made up of specially trained officers and their horses, will patrol neighborhoods and events, fostering positive interactions with residents. This move reflects a growing trend in law enforcement to use horseback patrols for greater visibility and accessibility. Officials believe that the presence of mounted officers will help build community trust and address safety concerns. The return of this unit underscores Pasadena’s commitment to innovative policing strategies that prioritize public connection.
2025 Rose Queen Announced
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses has officially crowned Lindsay Charles as the 2025 Rose Queen, marking a significant moment in the lead-up to the iconic Rose Parade. The announcement highlights the queen’s role as a representative of the tournament and the community. This year’s selection process showcased the talents and achievements of several candidates, with the chosen queen embodying the spirit and values of Pasadena. As part of her duties, she will participate in various events leading up to the parade and the Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day. The Tournament of Roses continues its tradition of celebrating local high school seniors, emphasizing community involvement and leadership. The excitement surrounding the Rose Parade builds with the announcement, promising a spectacular celebration in the upcoming year. Congrats, Lindsay!
@NEWSN_ROSES
📷@seereenuh | 📍Game 4 of the World Series, T. Boyles.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Wednesday
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🍫Trunk-or-Treat: Join the Pasadena Police Department in this safe and fun treat-or-treat event! Be sure to stick around for a costume contest 4 – 7 PM
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🍾Wine Wednesday: Enjoy half off dining at We Olive in Old Towne! 12 – 8:30 PM
Thursday (Halloween)
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🎃Old Pasadena Halloween: A fruitful good time with in Old Pasadena! Trick-or-Treat throughout the business with family and friends.
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🍷Halloween Party: at The Mixx with spooky dance lessons, treats, performances…oh and a $500 cash prize for a costume contest!
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🍷Ladies and Gentlemen: Pasadena has three different speakeasys. All good but the most Halloween appropriate has got to be, Ladies and Gentlemen. They have year-round spookiness with skulls, theatric drinks and a dark ombiance. Be sure to book your reservation! Or else, Dare to Enter!
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💃Lindy Groove Halloween Ball: Dance the night away at the swing dancing scene of Pasadena! The 22nd Halloween Ball is sure to be filled with dance moves, laughter and spookiness!
Friday (Dias De Las Muertos)
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💀Villa Parke Community Center: Celebrate day of the dead with friends and neighbors at Villa Parke Community Center with dance performances arts and crafts. Nov 1, 5 PM – 9 PM
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🌮Pasadena Senior Center: celebrating Day of the Dead with a potluck and a pictures for the community alter Nov 1st., 2:30 – 4 PM
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🥀Pasadena Village: celebrating Day of the Dead with a potluck and encourage you to bring pictures for the community alter Nov 1st., 2:30 – 4 PM
Saturday
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🎶Musical Story: Time The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything Students and faculty from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music will put on a musical story time show for caregivers and children aged 3-9 with fun activities and crafts 11:30 AM
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💡Super Con: the ultimate gathering of hardware hackers, makers, and tech enthusiasts Nov. 1-3.
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👩🎨 Making Space: Art Workshop: Nov. 1st to Nov 3rd. Explore scientific concepts and humanity’s relationship to space in this interdisciplinary workshop, aimed at adults with backgrounds in art, science/engineering, or education. The workshop is limited to 30 participants, with a fee of $50 ($20 for students), and applications are evaluated based on motivation and diverse skillsets
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🧝 Anime Pasadena Expo: Celebrate anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture at the 6th annual Pasadena Anime Expo! Featuring panels, artist exhibitions, cosplay, and merchandise for fans of all ages. Nov. 2nd & 3rd
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🪔 Diwali Festival of Lights: Celebrate Diwali at the Norton Simon Museum by learning about this special holiday through the sculptures of deities from Idea and partaking in a little arts and crafts! Nov. 2nd 1-3 PM.
Sunday
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T. Boyles bottomless mimosas for $18
Save the Date
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📽️Lights, Camera, Action!: Be sure to check out Pasadena Museums current exhibit about Hollywood magic right here in our beloved city! You can visit the exhibit until February but there will also be a Curator Tour on Nov. 9 at 11AM
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🎨Jackalope: The Indie Artisan Fair is coming to Central Park on Nov. 9th and 10th from 10 AM-4 PM. Featuring over 150 local makers and designers, this curated event offers a unique shopping experience with high-quality, handcrafted goods. Admission is free, and it’s the perfect opportunity to meet the artisans and support local craftsmanship.
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Diwali Culture Festival: Pasadena’s Hindu template will host a large scale cultural event Nov. 16th at 5:30 PM
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🖼️Artazan Show: With over 200 exhibitors, this event will have contemporary handcrafts, workshops, and one-of-a-kind art. Pasadena Convention Center. Nov. 9 thru 10th from 6-10 PM.
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La Cage aux Folles Opens The Pasadena Playhouse newest musical. Beautiful. Bawdy. Bizarre. The hottest drag club in town and one of theater’s all-time biggest hits. Opens Nov. 12
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DooDah Parade: An annual, whimsical event celebrating creativity and humor with quirky floats, costumes, and lively participants. Established in the late 1970s, it serves as an unconventional alternative to the traditional Rose Parade, attracting large crowds each year. Nov. 24 at 11am
Nothing in this section is sponsored. These are just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know if something is sponsored!
CIVIL NEWS
Pasadena General Election 2024: City Ballot Measures
Pasadena voters will have the opportunity to decide on six important local measures on November 5, 2024, shaping the city’s future across several areas. Highlights include Measure PL, a bond measure for the Central Library, and Measure PR, a charter amendment proposal for rent control. Voters will also consider Measures PA, PB, and PC, which suggest amendments for election processes, mayoral roles, and term limits, along with Measure PF addressing the Fire and Police Retirement System. Each measure reflects key issues impacting Pasadena’s governance and community services.
🚧Construction Road Closures
There will be roadway construction on the west side of Altadena Dr. between Washington Blvd. and Canyon Close Rd beginning on October 15 and is anticipated to end in early November. There will be intermittent single-lane closures and parking restrictions along Altadena Dr.
SPOTLIGHT: PRINCE STREET
It’s no surprise that the World Series has stirred up a classic West Coast vs. East Coast rivalry. But there’s one thing we can all agree on: the best pizza hails from New York—and luckily, we don’t need a plane ticket to enjoy it. The next time you crave a true New York pizza experience, minus the Yankees fans, head to Prince Street! Their high-gluten, low-moisture dough topped with a sweet sauce delivers that authentic New York bite. You can even order pizza by the slice. For those with a big appetite, try their “Grandma-style” pizza, occasionally drizzled with honey!
NEWS N’ ROSES WEATHER
Wednesday
72 🌡️ 48 |☀️| 💨 NE 4 mph, gusts up to 6 mph
🌆 Air Quality Index: 27 (Good)
Thursday
72 🌡️ 49 |☀️| 💨 VAR 2-6 mph, gusts up to 14 mph
Temperature readings taken from the Pasadena Doppler radar.
LIVE MUSIC
Enjoy live jazz music over dinner and drinks at Edwin Mills daily, 6-10 PM.
World Jazz Wednesdays. Hosted by Havana-born drummer Jimmy Branley. Every Wednesday evening from 8:00–11:00 PM. $10 cover.
Every Friday night, there’s a rotating selection of incredible jazz musicians, both world-renowned and underground. Specially curated by your host, Joel Taylor. 8:30–11:30 PM every Friday night. $10 cover.
SPORTS
Upcoming UCLA and PCC Matches
UCLA Football 🏈
11/8 UCLA vs Iowa | 6 PM at Rose Bowl Stadium
11/23 UCLA vs USC | TBD at Rose Bowl Stadium
11/30 UCLA vs Fresno State | TBD at Rose Bowl Stadium
Men’s Football 🏈
11/2 PCC vs. LA Southwest | 1 PM at LA Southwest
11/9 PCC vs. Glendale | 12 PM at TBD
Women’s Soccer ⚽
11/1 PCC vs. Long Beach | 4 PM at Robinson Stadium
Men’s Soccer ⚽
11/1 PCC vs. Long Beach | 6:30 PM at Robinson Stadium
Women’s Water Polo 🤽🏽♀️
10/30 PCC vs Chaffey | 3 PM at Pasadena Poly School
Women’s Volleyball 🏅
10/30 PCC vs. Cerritos | 6:00 PM at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium
THANKS!
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